COUGARS AWAY PREVIEW

June 29, 2007 - Vancouver Whitecaps FC women complete their four-game road trip when they meet Real Colorado Cougars for a second time on Saturday.

The W-League champions return to Shea Stadium in Littleton, Colorado, for another Western Conference contest with Brian Haynes’ side, having defeated the Arapahoe County-based outfit 3-1 in their first encounter on Monday evening. In-form striker Tiffeny Milbrett struck two goals to help Vancouver to another important league victory, while Holly Gault scored her third goal of the season against the Cougars.

Despite Monday’s win, Birarda admits Real Colorado posed his side problems during the game. “They are a very well organized team,” he told whitecapsfc.com. “They are a group that were able to put us under pressure at times from their front players making coordinated forward runs. They are a team that can create goalscoring chances against us, but I think we have enough to attack them, so will see on Saturday.”

With fellow American Ella Masar partnering her in attack, Milbrett has put in some influential performances during the club’s travels. “She was not fond of the field we were playing on in Littleton, but she still produced,” Birarda admitted. “She can make things look so easy when she scores goals, so it’s great that we have that kind of player that we can focus on up front.”

Always thinking towards the future, Birarda handed goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe a substitute appearance against Real Colorado on Monday. The 27-year-old is expected to deputize for number one Cori Alexander when the Cougars come to Vancouver next month. “The move was really trying to get Sian a bit of experience against them,” Birarda said. “Later on in the season when we play Real Colorado at home, Cori will not be available to us. On Monday, Sian made a big save in the game and was tested far more than Cori when she came in.”

With three games under their belt, Birarda is hoping for a positive finish to a long road trip. “There’s some fatigue in the squad, as we feel like we’ve been here forever,” he said. “There’s a good feeling in the team, but it’s business-like right now, as we’re trying to get through the trip before we get back home.”

The final league meeting between the Whitecaps and Real Colorado takes place at Swangard Stadium on July 21 and will be the final regular-season contest for both clubs in 2007.

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